Know Before You Go: Rochester International Jazz Festival

Jazz Street’s back for year 23 from June 19-27, and with each consecutive iteration, the Rochester Regional Health Rochester International Jazz Festival presented by M&T Bank — sporting a new title sponsor this year — continues to grow in size. The region’s largest fest will also receive support from Wegmans and the City of Rochester, along with many other community partners.

From headlining acts like Count Basie Orchestra and returning fest-closer favorite Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue to 100+ free shows and expanded Club Pass options, the 2026 Rochester International Jazz Festival has something for everyone. 

“We’re extremely humbled and honored by the high demand from thousands of artists from around the world who want to perform here,” producer and artist director John Nugent said. “This year’s program will cover all facets of creative improvised music, with a special emphasis on emerging artists. It’s always been our firm belief that ‘it’s not who you know, it’s who you don’t know.’ We look forward to seeing everyone on Jazz Street!”

Whether you’re planning a one-time visit or mapping out the entire nine-day lineup, we’ve gathered the basics on the fest in one place for easy reference. 

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BY THE NUMBERS

200,000+ people attend Jazz Fest annually

1750+ artists will perform in 300+ total shows over 9 days

174 Club Pass shows

110+ free shows

19 venues

10 countries represented 

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HEADLINER SHOWS

Three of this year’s eight headliner shows are ticketed and will be held in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre: Chris Botti on June 25, Gladys Knight on June 26 and The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra on June 27 (As of press time, tickets were still available to all three.) The five free headliners are Robert Cray Band (June 20) at the East & Chestnut Stage, Tito Puente Jr. and Nestor Torres (June 24); Galactic (June 25); Ana Popović (June 26); and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue (June 27), all at the Wegmans Stage at Parcel 5.

CLUB PASS SERIES

The Club Pass provides access to up to 174 acts across 10 Club Pass Series venues, ranging from intimate settings to mid-size rooms and larger stages (Kodak Hall is a new Club Pass venue for six nights). Also new this year, the Jazz Festival offers three options for club passes: a one-day, three-day and the traditional nine-day pass, which gives a concertgoer access to every act at every venue for the duration of the festival (not using it for a day? Hand it off to a friend!). A one-day pass runs $79.53, including $9.53 service fees (must choose online which day). A three-day pass runs $257.55, including $20.55 service fees. A nine-day pass runs $441.74, including $27.74 service fees (as of press time, all passes were still available). Without a Club Pass, shows are $30 cash at the door ($35 for Kilbourn Hall, $40 for Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre).

Seating at the Club Pass venues is on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors to every Club Pass show open 30 minutes before the start of the performance; get there early. For the first shows at the busiest Club Pass venues — Kilbourn Hall and Max of Eastman Place — line up at 4 p.m. outside the venues to get a color-coded wristband that specifies a return time to see the show. (You must be present and in line to get a wristband.) Then come back at your assigned time and enjoy the show!

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NOT ALLOWED

• Pets (though guides and service dogs are OK)
• Coolers
• Wagons
• Outside food or drink
• Tents or umbrellas
• Professional cameras with removable lenses 

WHAT TO BRING

• Valid photo ID
• Digital and printed tickets 
• Your Club Pass (it can’t be replaced, so keep it safe and label with your contact info)
• Low-profile lawn chairs for outdoor shows on Parcel 5 and Jazz Street (Gibbs St.) Stage
• Blankets for outdoor shows at the Wegmans Stage @ Parcel 5, which is on a lawn
• Strollers (and maybe headphones) for children
• Earplugs

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FOOD AND DRINK

Food and drinks will be available throughout all nine days in two main areas: along East Main Street (food trucks) and outside Rhythm Square at East Main Street and Gibbs; Parcel 5 will also have a full lineup on show days (June 24-27). Many of the venues will offer food and drinks — from light snacks to full meals — and local restaurants and bars within walking distance are a good go-to option for before or after taking in a performance.

There are five bars open all nine days, eight bars open on free headliner show days, June 20 for headliner show on East & Chestnut, and June 24-27 for shows on Parcel 5, and a happy hour on Jazz Street 3:30 to 5 p.m. each day featuring $1 off Lake Beverage products, including NA beer and other zero-proof options. Jazz Fest has an exhaustive directory of onsite vendors, bars and food trucks at rochesterjazz.com/food-drinks, which makes planning by day, area or specific food vendor seamless.

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ACCESSIBILITY

All venues are accessible. Since needs vary by individual, the festival encourages anyone needing assistance to get in touch at 585-454-2060 at least two weeks before the jazz festival or a specific concert. 

Accessible portable bathrooms for those attending outdoor shows are located:

• Outside the Rochester Regional Health Rhythm Square on East Main, for people attending shows in the Wegmans Pavilion
• At the end of the Kilbourn Hall alley, on Swan Street
• Near Wegmans Stage on Parcel 5, June 24-27
• Near the East & Chestnut Stage, June 20 only

FIRST AID TENT

Located in Rhythm Square on East Main Street, between Chestnut and Gibbs Streets.

BIKE RACKS

You may park (and be sure to lock) your bike at the racks located in Rhythm Square, on the corner of East Main and Chestnut Streets.

RTS BUS ROUTES

• You can access the East End from several east-side transit routes (see the most current MAP here).
• The East End is also a short walk from the RTS Transit Center, where all bus routes stop. Many routes run until midnight or 1 a.m., making an evening out without the hassle of parking an easy option.
• Visit myRTS.com for more information and to download the Where’s My Bus? app for real-time bus arrival info on your smartphone from Google Play and the App Store.

PARKING

• Street parking is available, and sometimes you luck out! Meters are free after 6 p.m. and on weekends; download the Flowbird app for easy payments.
• Parking for all East End events can be found in the East End Garage (475 Main St. East,  $7 after 3 p.m. weekdays and all day Saturday and Sunday) at the corner of East Avenue and Scio Street or the Washington Square Garage (111 Woodbury Blvd., $2/half-hour, 1 hour/$4, 2 hours/$6, 3 hours/$8, 24-hour, minimum $10. Special event rates Saturdays & Sundays only $12). 
• If a little walking isn’t out of the question, additional parking can be found at the Sister Cities Garage (28 North Fitzhugh St., $7 cash, free on Saturdays, closed on Sundays), Court Street Garage (194 Court St., $2/half-hour, 1 hour/$4, 2hours/$6, 3hours/$8, 24-hour, minimum $10. Special event rates Saturdays & Sundays only $12), Midtown Garage (270 East Broad St., $7), and the South Avenue Garage (39 Stone St., $2/hour, up to $10 max.). 

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FOR MORE 

Pick up a free pocket schedule at any venue during the fest or at the RIJF ticket shop, 

100 East Ave., from June 15 through June 27. Online, visit rochesterjazz.com or download the free Jazz Fest app for maps, schedules and additional information to help navigate the festival.

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The CITY team will be out for the nine days of Jazz Fest documenting, bopping to the free open-air tunes and sampling fried delicacies. If you see us, say hi! Follow along at @roccitymag on social, roccitymag.com and on WXXI-AM (1370) and WRUR-FM (88.5).